Shannon here: Jenny Carlisle shares how her character is like and unlike her in her latest Contemporary Romance Novella, Anchor in a Whirlwind, which is part of the collection, Romancing the Elements with three other authors. Comment or answer the question in any post dated June 18th – 30th to enter the drawing for a print copy plus 3 other titles. Deadline: July 8th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jenny:
My Alter-ego: A Blonde TV Anchor from Savannah, GA?
There is a lot of truth in the assumption that most of an author’s stories are at least a little bit auto-biographical. After all, writing what we know comes naturally. But, fiction writing is fun because we can change, embellish and fantasize to our heart’s content.
My latest story, a novella included in the collection Romancing the Elements is a great example. Tara Williams’ story and her romance were fun to write. We are much alike- but at the same time, very different. Want to hear more? Here’s the low-down on Truth vs. Fiction in Anchor in a Whirlwind.
Truth about our origins: We both call Arkansas home, even though we were born elsewhere.
Truth about our backstory: Both of us are children of divorced parents. This happened to Tara at about age 10. Her mom chose to move in with Tara’s grandmother on Tybee Island. My mom stayed in our little hometown when she and my daddy divorced while I was in kindergarten. Both of our new step-dads were from Arkansas, and moved us there after the wedding.
Fiction about our dads: Tara had no contact with her biological dad. I began writing letters to mine from an early age, and little sis and I spent one week of our summer vacation with Daddy each year.
Fiction about our personalities: Tara is much more outgoing. A real extrovert. She went to college to become a TV news reporter. I am a closet introvert. I studied journalism, but dropped out of college to get married.
Truth and Fiction about our romances: I met my true love in high school, and married a year later.
Tara was an independent college graduate and working her first broadcasting job when she met her first serious boyfriend, a fast-talking political candidate. His attempt to control Tara and mold her into someone she didn’t want to be influenced her decision to take a new job in a new city.
Truth about our soulmates: Both come from strong families with parents who know how to stay together through all the storms of life. Both enjoy physical activity. My hubby worked in manufacturing and walks a couple of miles each day. Tara’s new love, Micah handles the physical aspect of captaining an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat with ease, and jogs for exercise. Both also deal with visual limitations, and have worn eye patches.
Fiction about our sweethearts: Once again, the contrast centers on personalities. My hubby relates well to others, but doesn’t seek the spotlight. Micah thrives on performance. He developed a new persona as the captain of the tourist boat Georgia Queen, and would love to be an actor someday.
Truth about our pets: Tara and I have both owned Corgis. Her Jeannie is patterned after our Sophie. I know those powerful, short legs would have loved running along the beach!
Have I shared enough to spark your interest? I hope you will check out this fun novella collection. There are three other stories by three other great authors; Ellen Withers, Delores Topliff and Tonya Ashley. All four center on the fact that God’s love can overcome any storm or danger this world has to offer.
Reader Question: Think about the last story you read. How are you and the hero or heroine alike? How are you different?
June Book Bundle #2
My Journey into Writing Fiction by R.F. Whong, to download this giveaway, you’ll need to sign up for my weekly newsletter
Romancing the Elements by Jenny Carlisle, Contemporary Romance Novella Collection, print
If I Perish by Paula K. Parker, Biblical Fiction, digital
Second Chances and Second Cups by Donna Schlachter, Short Story Compilation, print or digital
About Jenny: Jenny McLeod Carlisle retired from a 35 year HR career with the State of Arkansas to fulfill her dream of being an author of Christian fiction. Scrivenings Press published the three book Crossroads series in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This novella, like the one included in the collection A Gift for All Time features characters from that series.
She and her husband and traveling buddy love nothing more than adventuring with or without their three married children and eight grandchildren. A road trip through the orchard country of Georgia to historic Savannah and Tybee Island captivated her, and she can’t wait to return to immerse herself in Southern culture and cuisine.
At home in Arkansas, they worship with a community-oriented congregation of the Church of Christ where they are members of the JOY (Just Older Youth) group. Jenny’s favorite volunteer role is as a Journey Partner for Women Equipped, Christian Job Corps. Learn more and connect:
Jenny’s Website Jenny’s Facebook Jenny’s Facebook Author Page
About the novella – Anchor in a Whirlwind:
Tara Williams was a local celebrity as a television reporter in the River Valley of Arkansas. Now that she has accepted her first anchor position in Savannah, Georgia, she feels like a goldfish that has been dropped into the ocean. Arriving in the midst of hurricane season, she immediately learns the importance of hanging on to what is most important in life. Accompanied by her hyper-active Corgi, and comforted by an old family friend, her newfound friendship with a mysterious riverboat captain both excites and complicates her quest to find a new sense of home.
Micah Roland was content on his daily cruises up and down the Savannah River with his faithful collie Nikki by his side. That is, until a new neighbor lands on his beach, disrupting his assumptions about the value of sheltering in place.
Can these two help each other weather the storms of life?
About the collection – Romancing the Elements:
When love is rooted in God, no force of nature can stand against it.
Four heartfelt novellas. Four forces of nature. One unshakable truth—faith-filled love can weather any storm.
Romancing the Elements brings together four uplifting romance stories where ordinary people discover extraordinary love when life pushes their comfort zones. From icy porches to coastal winds, rugged wilderness trails to unyielding stone, each story explores how faith, love, and surrender intertwine in unexpected seasons.
In this collection, readers will meet:
- A driven career woman and a gentle small-town engineer whose opposites-attract romance unfolds during an unexpected ice storm
- A television anchor starting over in a coastal city, learning that home—and love—may look different than she planned
- Two battle-tested veterans facing old wounds and new hope amid Montana’s untamed beauty
- A counselor and a survival expert leading a wilderness retreat where healing, faith, and love walk side by side
Blending small-town charm, emotional depth, and gentle humor, these novellas offer tender reminders that God often does His best work when hearts are stretched and plans are surrendered.
If you love the heartfelt faith, emotional warmth, and hopeful romance found in stories by Denise Hunter, Irene Hannon, or Becky Wade—settle in and let these stories carry you through every season of love.
Worried you won’t win the drawing? Interested in Jenny’s other titles? Need extra books for gifts?
Get your copy/copies now!
Romancing the Element Jenny’s Books
Come back June 25th for Paula K. Parker!
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